Charles "Chuck/Charlie" John Wood

Charles “Chuck”/”Charlie” John Wood, of Meadville, passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2016, with his family by his side.
  
Chuck was an extraordinary man who brought light and laughter into a room on even the darkest days, especially during his long battle with cancer. He was a beautiful soul, generous and kind, who embraced life with humor and an optimistic outlook -- he was the ultimate warrior.
 
He cherished his family, friends, and “the furry ones.” He was filled by the seemingly small moments like teaching his wife Ellie how to cook; playing ball with Layla, trying to get Dexter to sit, and napping with Butters; dancing with his sister Lucy in the car and in grocery stores; teaching his mom and dad how to play Mario Kart; giving Carla home improvement advice; giving his nurses a hard time, especially Jolene; and watching and attending wrestling events with Al and Mike.

Chuck had a driving work ethic and was most recently employed by Hagan Business Machines of Meadville, where he had the opportunity to work with great friends, like Matt. He was a 1995 graduate of Carmichaels Area High School, and attended Penn State and IUP.
 
An artist in almost any medium, he delighted in creating. He lent his talents to everything from designing sets at the Academy Theater to crafting original pieces of jewelry, and he would bring to life any number of imaginative characters, critters, and monsters (like Ed), rendering them in paint, charcoal, or clay. He was also a talented writer, and with his gift for language he was always ready with a clever quip, a thoughtful reflection, a kind word of support, or a rousing game of Scrabble. Funny and so, so smart, but nice about it, he left a bit of himself in everything he made, in every word he wrote, in every game he played, and in every friendship he cherished.
 
Chuck was born July 21, 1977, in Morgantown, W.Va. He was the son of the late Lucy Ann Loveday (Wood) Gidley, formerly of Clover, S.C., and Dr. Charles and Jean Wood, of Belmont, Ohio.  

Chuck was the beloved husband of Elizabeth “Ellie” N. Wood of Meadville, Pa.; brother of Lucy C. Wood (Terrence McManus) of Jersey City, N.J. and Rebecca (Woody) Kirschman, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; nephew of Dr. Robert and Carrell Evans of Prosser, Wash. and Evelyn Jerauld of Nicholson, Pa.; and son-in-law of Victoria Morfenski of Meadville, Pa.
 
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Capt. John C. Loveday, USN Retired, and Myrleen Koehl Loveday; grandparents, Charles and Evelyn Wood; and stepfather, Daniel P. Gidley.
 
“Be well and enjoy life no matter how hard it gets.”
 
At the request of the family, services will be private.
 
Memorial contributions may be made to the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335.
 
Arrangements are under the direction of STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE.
 
Share a memory or condolence at www.miznerfuneralhome.com